The fact checking craze is sweeping the planet!
Fact-checking journalism gains momentum

Following the notoriety in the United States, similar fact-checking news organizations have sprung up on every continent, gaining attention in places ranging from Egypt to Australia, Chile and France, according to a Duke University study.

The study led by Bill Adair, a Duke faculty member who was a founder of PolitiFact at the Tampa Bay Times, identified 59 fact-checking groups globally, of which more than 15 are in the United States.

“It really surprised me how much fact-checking is going on around the world,” Adair told AFP.

“I had no idea there was this much, particularly in places such as Eastern Europe. These sites are using fact-checking and are holding politicians accountable for their promises. It’s really become a strong movement in journalism.”

Recognizing the growth, the Poynter Institute journalism school has organized the first global fact-checking summit, to be held in June in London.

“Fact-checking is quickly becoming an important new form of accountability journalism,” said Poynter president Tim Franklin.

“Poynter will play a leading role to help journalists do their best work and foster the growth of fact-checking, which is vital to democracies around the world.”